Types of strategies used by (n=36) fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-grade students solving comparison of area tasks were identified and classified. Most students used a direct comparison strategy to compare areas. Use of a part-whole strategy increased with the introduction of fractional terms and symbols. (23 references) (MKR)

Relations of social-goal pursuit to social acceptance by teachers and peers, prosocial and irresponsible classroom behavior, and perceived support from teachers and peers were examined for 475 sixth and seventh graders. Findings reflected, in part, significant relationships between social-goal pursuit and displays of social behavior. (SLD)

Describes implementation of a whole-language approach in a middle school that has a majority of students for whom English is a second language. The transitional English program for sixth graders used high-interest, high-action novels in combination with a writing program and portfolios. (SLD)

The incidence, correlates, and effects of mathematics anxiety were studied for 154 Japanese children in grades 5 and 6. Factor analysis identified four dimensions of mathematics anxiety, and a number of relationships between achievement test scores and grades, gender, and class were also identified. (SLD)

Presents an eight-step plan for implementing technology integration. Describes a sixth-grade social studies class that used hypermedia software to complete a research project about the Renaissance. Discusses software selection, teaching computer skills, and the CD-ROM map project. Benefits include positive group interaction, self-expression, and…

Presents a two-month historical research project for use in a sixth grade social studies class. Includes student use of artifacts, photographs, news clippings, maps, and oral histories obtained by interviews. Suggests that children compile a chronological history of their community to analyze, organize, and record what they have learned. (DK)

Investigated the effects of group size and exposure time in the use of a commercially prepared tutorial program or drill-and-practice software by 168 fifth and sixth graders. Found that exposure time was related to students' scores on posttests. Results suggested a need to examine allocated time in microcomputer learning situations. (LB)

The validity of the assumptions under which the ordinal true score test theory was derived was examined using (1) simulation based on classical test theory; (2) a long empirical test with data from 321 sixth graders; and (3) an extensive simulation with 480 datasets based on the 3-parameter model. (SLD)

A group of reading teachers at a Pennsylvania middle school was charged with developing a uniform reading program and selecting reading materials to meet their students' needs. This article describes the committee's work, focusing on the selection and adaption of a whole-language basal-reading program that incorporates writing and other language…

Presents study showing children with behaviors characteristic of attention disorder/hyperactivity deficit and high intelligence have more mixed laterality and allergies. Finds these children gather and use more diverse nonverbal and poorly focused information. Concludes such children use uncommon information when exhibiting novelty in nonverbal…

Whether or not the spatial cognitive development of students from distinct social-cultural milieus, specifically Anglos from the southwestern part of the United States and Native Turks, would proceed along approximately the same lines was investigated. The overall findings tend to indicate that at times the acquisition of spatial structures may be…

In 1985, participants in the Second International Science Study developed and evaluated hands-on problem-solving activities and gave students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of science process skills. Six evaluation stations for fifth and sixth graders are presented: Blowing in a Liquid, Compare and Contrast, Electrical Circuit, Hot and…

Examines family achievement orientation (parental beliefs regarding education) perceived by 73 fifth-grade and 75 sixth-grade African-American students (59 males and 89 females) in an urban school district. Studies how these perceptions affect students' achievement orientation. Family demographic variables contribute little to achievement…

Compares two instructional strategies, prompting and direct instruction, to determine which produces dialogical reasoning in written essays concerning controversial issues. Participants were 45 sixth graders. Finds both strategies equally productive and concludes that the emphasis should be on providing thought-provoking, issues-oriented social…

Study tested the effects of an experiment-based physical science program on cognitive outcomes with 556 urban fourth through eighth graders. Teachers implemented the hands-on Quantitative Approach to Elementary Science program consisting of 22 physical science experiments. Results indicate the program influenced only science process skills and…